The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Wednesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) to try six soldiers for indiscipline and other related offences.
The eight-man panel for the General Court Martial is headed by Colonel Dickson Igbokwe.
The soldiers, whose names were not mentioned, are in the ranks of Lance Corporal and Corporal.
Inaugurating the GCM in Enugu, General Lagbaja said it was meant to instil general discipline in the Nigerian Army.
The GOC noted that it was also meant to punish erring personnel as well as act as a deterrent for others not to engage in any act of indiscipline.
Explaining that the GCM is an internal mechanism of the Nigerian Army uses to put all its personnel in check, General Lagabja stated: “It leads the Nigerian Army to be a professional and a well-disciplined force. It also builds and upholds regimentation and all ethics of the force.
“The General Court Martial is recognised by the country’s law and constitution.”
The GOC however said that the Court Martial provides justice to all – both to the accused, the State (Nigerian Army) and the entire society.
He charged the panel of the GCM to ensure expeditious justice delivery “since justice delayed is justice denied”.
He also urged the panel not to sacrifice sound judgment and justice on the altar of expeditious or speedy justice delivery.
